Cardiac Surgeries Face Cancellations as 25 Perfusionists Strike July 2-8 Over Pay Dispute

Cardiac surgeries are scheduled for cancellation next week as perfusionists, members of the Fórsa trade union, initiate further strike action in an ongoing pay dispute. Perfusionists are cardiovascular specialists responsible for operating machines that temporarily assume the functions of the heart and lungs during surgical procedures.

The industrial action will involve 25 perfusionists across five hospitals engaging in a work stoppage on Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3. An additional three days of stoppages are planned from Monday, July 6, to Wednesday, July 8.

Fórsa has accused the Health Service Executive (HSE) of unilaterally severing a long-established pay link between perfusionists and medical scientists and of refusing to implement a Labour Court recommendation to reinstate this link. The union had previously suspended planned strikes to facilitate discussions within the framework of upcoming public sector pay talks. However, Fórsa stated, «no new public service pay talks forum has been established, and no progress has been made towards resolving the dispute.»

A 24-hour strike by perfusionists earlier this month resulted in the cancellation of cardiac surgeries across five hospitals. Fórsa Official Ryan McKinney commented, «Our members have shown considerable patience and restraint, but they cannot accept the continued failure to implement what is a binding recommendation. This is a matter of implementation. The HSE and the Department of Health need to honour the Labour Court recommendation without further delay.» The HSE has been contacted for comment and previously affirmed its commitment to continued engagement with Fórsa regarding the Labour Court recommendation to avert further industrial action.